The PFA yesterday officially launched the Hardship and Education funds through the program, The First XI with 100 guests at a brunch function at The Point in Melbourne.

The First XI is the vehicle for driving the PFA’s Hardship and Education funds for current and former footballers.

The launch was a great success and has ensured there will be further events to follow.

Guests enjoyed the surroundings while hearing from some of the greats of Australian football. KimonTaliadoros, co-founder and inaugural life member of the PFA, kicked off the more formal aspects of the morning with an outline of how the PFA came to be formed back in 1993. He also discussed not only the importance of the PFA in the past, but also its importance as we look to the new football landscape in Australia.

PFA President Simon Colosimo outlined, The First XI. This program has been developed to provide targeted corporate organisations with an opportunity for a deeper engagement with Australia’s footballers. Once part of The First XI, they will be providing a direct and tangible benefit to our members, both current and former.

All funds raised through The First XI will go straight to the Hardship and Education funds for the direct benefit of our membership. For more information on The First XI, please look under “the responsibility” and “member services” on our website.

The morning ended with a highlights DVD of the Socceroos fabulous performance at the World Cup and insights from our football panel. The panel consisted of PFA President Simon Colosimo, PFA Executive Member Kevin Muscat, World Cup hero Jack Reilly, Socceroo Alan Davidson and self confessed football tragic Santo Cilauro.

The PFA would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended the launch, all of our panelists and guest speakers for donating their precious time, and to Jim Wilson who did a fantastic job as our MC.

Photos from the launch will be available in the photo gallery tomorrow (Wednesday).